ON page 23 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, writes, "Faith, advanced to spiritual understanding, is the evidence gained from Spirit, which rebukes sin of every kind and establishes the claims of God." While one may be desirous of attaining this spiritual understanding, it is well to consider what are "the claims of God," what their establishment means, and what the nature and accessibility of the needed spiritual understanding and evidence.
A claim is the assumption of ownership, title, or right of possession. To the Supreme Being, or governing Principle of the universe, which mankind calls God, Christendom accords omnipotence, omniscience, omnipresence. As one reflects upon the boundless nature of Deity, it is revealed that nothing exists above, beyond, outside of the power, knowledge, and presence of God. God is All, and His allness establishes the infinitude of good.
What, then, does it mean for "the claims of God" to be established? His work is done. In spiritual reality "the claims of God" are forever established. The process of gaining the understanding of this fact takes place, then, in human thought, and concerns humanity; and "the claims of God" must be recognized as already established facts before they can be expressed in terms appreciable to human experience. Because Christ Jesus understood that "the claims of God" are absolutely established facts, he was able to feed the multitudes, heal the sick, and raise the dead. In the hour of betrayal the beloved Master asked of Peter, "Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to my Father, and he shall presently give me more than twelve legions of angels?" And in tender solicitude for his followers' welfare he counseled, "What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them."
